Reenforced rope or cord construction and method of making same



June 7, 1932 J. H. cHuxlzaEsoLuRuE` 1,862,505

REENFORCED ROPE OR CORD CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed April 2o. 1951 Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH H. CHADBOURNE, OFVDAHNIELSON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO E. H. .TCOBS MFG. CO., OF DANIELSON, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT REENFORCED ROPE OR CORD CONSTRUCTION AND METHOD OF `MAKING SAME Application filed April 20,

My present invention is a novel and improved reenforcing cord or rope construction and a n-ovel method of manufacturing same, particularly intended for use in connection with harness cords for looms.

Heretofore in making reenforced rope or cord, particularly where a metal ferrule and threaded member, or screw eye, is used for the end for attachment of the cord, it has been customary to reenforce such ropes or cords by employing metal rods or twisted cables, into which the threads of the screw eye Were fitted, deforming the metal to hold the same. Other methods were comprised of utilizing the binding strain of a ferrule to hold the fibres of the cord against the expanding spring or stress of the threaded shank or stem of the screw eye when fitted in the ends. All these prior methods were objectionable, particularly where the cord thus made and fitted was used in looms as a harness cord or the like where great strength is necessary and where breakage of the harness cords or connections involved great loss of production and damage to the loom and looms in the process of manufacture thereof.

In my present invention I have devised a novel method of reenforcing the cord or rope, particularly in a braided cord, maintaining its flexibility to a high degree, and also imparting great strength to the end portions, where the screw eyes or the like constituted the end connecting means for the cord. It will be appreciated that metal rods or cables as a part of the reenforcingfof a fibrous braided cord necessarily took up the main strain, eliminating the textile material which would stretch more than the metal.

In my present invention, however, I have obviated this difficulty and have devised a metallic reenforcement for a fibrous core structure, wherein the met-al and the fibers are more homogeneously combined and interrelated, cooperating in strength and stretch, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility for operating around pulleys, etc. than has heretofore been known.

In carrying out my invention I provide a fibrous core, either of braided or spirally twisted cable, and thereupon form a reenforc- 1931. Serial No. 531,329.

structure.

Thus I produce a reenforced cable of great flexibility, retaining practically the normal flexibility of an all-fibrous core, together with the increased tensile strength of the metal, mesh, which, being applied around the fibrous core, permits the flexing of the wire mesh without difficulty and the outer layer or covering, preferably braided of textile material, gives a completely finished and strong rope or cord construction. Furthermore, the process of making such a cord with the reenforced metallic Wire as a mesh or wrapping, braided or otherwise applied, around the fibrous center, and with the outer fibrous covering braidedtightly about the metal, enables the reinforcing metal to be more firmly and homogeneously incorporated in the cord structure, insuring that the tensile strength will result from a proper combination of both metal and fiber.

This reenforcing struct-ure with the metal as an intermediatelayer is also peculiarly advantageous in the use for harness looms or the like wherein a predetermined length of the reenforced cord has an end connection in the shape of a screw eye or the like and protecting ferrule. The fibre center prevents the threaded stem or shank of a screw eye to be readily turned therein, while the binding and reenforcing of the intermediate layer of wire mesh holds the fibre core into firm engagement with the threads of the shank and the usual outer encircling ferrule is scarcely necessary.

I may apply-my reenforcing throughout the entire length of the cord or rope or may apply same only at the end portion to take up the strain of the screw eye or end connection and preferably utilize a Wire mesh braided thereon, a spiral form of wire wrapping or otherwise, the important feature being the intermediate reenforcing layer around a fibrous core and preferably covered by an outer fibrous layer, all three layers being preferably braided. I believe this to be a distinct novelty and the process of making same also 4braided outer covering to complete the corded new and I, therefore, claim both process and article herein.

Referring to the drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment of my present improved structure,

Fig. 1 is a view of a typical braided harness cord embodying my reenforced construction with attaching ferrules and screw eyes at each end;

Fig. 2 iS an enlarged cross-sectional view of an end portion of my reenforced cord showing the reenforcing as a braided section applied to the end only;

Fig. 3 being a view in cross section, longitudinally central of the end portion showing the metal wire mesh as applied to the metal end portion only;

Fig. 4 is a similar end view in cross section illustrating the reenforcing wire intermedate laye-r as spirally wound, and

Fig. 5 is a view partly in cross section illustrating the wire reenforcing layer extending throughout the entire length of the rope or cord.

As shown in Fig. 1, my reenforced cord or rope is illustrated as a harness cord for looms, having at each end a metal ferrule 2, 2 and a connecting screw eye 3, 3 threaded therein through the top of the recess 4 in the ferrule.

This cord is comprised of a fibrous center 5 preferably, braided and then has applied therearound, either at the end portions, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4:, at 6, 7 and 8, a wire braiding in Fig. 2, a wire mesh in Fig. 3, or a spirally wound wire in Fig. 5, whereupon an outer layer, preferably braided, 10

is applied. This reenforcing enables the screw threaded shank 12 of the screw eye 3 to be easily and readily threaded into the core 5, the binding effect of the reenforcing layer 6, 7 or 8, holding same firmly into engagement in addition to the binding effect of the end ferrule 2.

In Fig. 5 I illustrate the reenforced cord with the wire mesh 15 extending the entire length 0f same and it will be appreciated that either the spiral wrapping 8, or the wire braiding 6, Amay be similarly extended throughout the length of the cord 1 to give the reenforcing structure not only to each end but intermediate the same.

In carrying out my present improved process I prefer to braid the core 5 of hemp or cotton or other usual fibrous material desired, thereupon to braid around the core 5 the metal reenforcing 6 or to apply the metal mesh 7. Thereupon'I apply the outer braided fibrous covering 10 to complete the cord and to extend same preferably throughout the entire length, although an end portion only can be used if it is desired. Thereupon the cord is cut at any appropriate lengths, the ferrules 2 are applied, and the screw eyes fitted through the openings Il and into the fibrous core 5.

Thus I have produced a novel and improved form of metal reenforced cord or rope, giving a reenforcing both longitudinally and circumferentially, longitudinally for increased strength where desired throughout the entire length of the cord, and circumferentially for increased strength and binding effect where the shank 12 of the screw eye 3 is fitted therethrough. Thus the flexibility of the cord is retained and both the fibre and Y metal reenforcing being intimately interwoven, cooperate equally in the tensile strength of the entire structure.

I claim:

1. An improved reenforced dobby cord for ment and the outer layer of fibrous material,

the metallic reenforcing section being of less thickness than either of the other sections, and attaching means secured at each end having a threaded shank portion in the fibrous core, and an outer metal ferrule surrounding the outermost layer at each end.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH H. CHADBOURNE.

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